The thought of having horse meat on your plate might cause you to make a few monkey faces, but like we say in T&T–'doh knock it til yuh try it.' Even internationally, food scientists argue that the meat is a much healthier alternative to beef as it is leaner, has more protein and does not carry the potential killer, E coli.
At the Bishop Anstey High School's annual Carnival all-inclusive fete, horse meat has been served as a delicacy for the past eight years.The event's supplier Galloping Gourmet representative Anton Cumberbatch said patrons cannot get enough of it."At first they weren't really sold on the idea but after trying it, all I can say is that they love it," said Cumberbatch.
He said the east-based business also supplies other Carnival fetes, like Yorke and Central Bank's all-inclusive with the delicacy.Asked about their suppliers, Cumberbatch refrained from giving names, only stating that they obtained the meat from farms that rear horses for the racing industry."Our supply comes from these farms. When horses are injured and euthanised, they are sold to butchers and we buy it from them," explained Cumberbatch.
Even though he would not give a quote, Cumberbatch said horse meat in this part of the world is very costly because it is not a regular type of meat that you can purchase at the grocery store or the market."What is important is that people should know that the meat is produced and served very safely. We don't import horse meat, it is all local and all fresh," said Cumberbatch.
He said people have the same concerns about horse meat as they do with chicken or any other kind of meat."What hormones are they injected with...antibiotics, if any? These are normal concerns."He said horse meat is prepared the same way chicken or beef when cooking."You season as usual and you can stew, bake, curry or geera it, whatever you desire," said Cumberbatch.
Addressing the recent scandal involving horse meat found in meat balls sold by Swedish furniture dealer Ikea after tests in the Czech Republic, Cumberbatch said he found it strange that all of a sudden these big companies are swearing they were unaware."This isn't news...this isn't now happening. The issue isn't really the meat, rather it is the mislabeling and costing," said Cumberbatch.
"When you go to the market here to buy meat, you see the meat right in front of you so you know what you are buying. When it are prepackaged you do not know what is going into it, and that's why we are witnessing this scandal," said Cumberbatch.A chef who did not want to be named said although he has not prepared the delicacy himself, from his knowledge about the meat it is used much in the same way that one would use beef, and can be substituted for beef, veal or pork in most recipes. He added horse meat looks to be far more nutritious than beef, according to research.
"From what I'm seeing it looks to be lower in total fat, saturated fat and cholesterol, the iron content is higher, the vitamin B12 content is higher and the omega-3 fatty acid content is higher," he said.
Vet: It's okay to eat horse meat
Veterinarian at the North West Veterinarian Clinic Dr Katherine Pyke told the T&T Guardian any animal that is being treated, every drug has a withdrawal period and an animal will not be slaughtered before that period has ended."Whether they are being treated with antibiotics or pain killers or any other kind of medication, there are withdrawals periods for these drugs. "The animal will not be slaughtered until the period is complete and that goes for any animal that is used for consumption," said Pyke.
She said nothing is wrong with eating horse meat. What's important is finding out if the horse was being treated for something and if it has passed the withdrawal period before being slaughtered.